Henrietta's First Winter

by Lewis, Rob. (Farrar, 1990 ISBN 0-374-32951-6) Picture Book. 32 pages. Grades PreK+.
This book was reviewed by Carol Otis Hurst in Teaching K-8 Magazine.

Review

Henrietta appears to be some sort of woodchuck. Orphaned in her first year, she has had no adults to show her how her species gets ready for winter. The other animals of the forest take pity on her and tell her she must gather nuts and berries. She does as they say, but each time something happens to her treasured food supply. At last, too tired to try again, she falls asleep and when she wakes up, it's spring.

This is a simple book and a delightful way to spark further research into hibernation or the diverse ways animals have of getting ready for and enduring through the winter.

Related Areas of Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site

• Winter and Children's Literature. Featured Subject.